PRAIA SCOOTER FIELD GUIDE
Motoquad Norte: Across Viana’s Mini‑Sahara to the Boa Esperança Shipwreck
A 4‑hour 4x4 quad tour from your hotel through the 6 km Viana Desert to Praia da Boa Esperança and the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck.
Motoquad Norte: Across Viana’s Mini‑Sahara to the Boa Esperança Shipwreck.
The Motoquad Norte • Deserto Viana is a short, high‑impact adventure that threads 4x4 quad tracks north from your hotel into the Viana Desert — a roughly 6‑kilometre swath of shifting dunes often described as a mini Sahara — and finishes at the windswept Praia da Boa Esperança where the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck has lain since 1968.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Viana Desert — dunes on the move
The route passes through the Deserto de Viana, a 6 km stretch of high, mobile dunes whose shapes change with the wind — a compact Sahara‑like landscape that dominates this northward stretch of island.
4x4 motoquad tracks across the island’s north
Riders follow dedicated quad tracks (trilhos) across the northern part of the island, combining short bursts of technical riding with broad, open dune sections.
Praia da Boa Esperança and the Cabo Santa Maria wreck
The tour ends at Praia da Boa Esperança (Cabo Santa Maria), the beach that hosts the well‑known shipwreck dating from 1968 — a photographic capstone to the desert run.
What the day feels like
What the experience feels like
Over approximately four hours the excursion leaves from your hotel, climbs into the northbound trails toward the Viana Desert and threads riding lines across its wind‑sculpted dunes, then moves on to the coast for a concluding stop at Praia da Boa Esperança beside the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this outing suits — and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour duration is approximately 4 hours.
Pickup is arranged at the hotel where the client is staying.
Closed shoes are mandatory; drivers must carry a valid category B driving licence to operate a quad.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the Motoquad Norte • Deserto Viana tour last?
The tour is approximately 4 hours in duration.
Where do I meet for the tour?
Pickup is organized at the hotel where the client is staying.
What are the main stops on the route?
The route goes to the Deserto de Viana (a roughly 6 km dune field) and then to Praia da Boa Esperança (Cabo Santa Maria) where the 1968 shipwreck is located.
Are there age or licence requirements?
Yes: drivers must be at least 18 years old and hold a category B driving licence; passengers must be at least 7 years old.
Are there rules about footwear and riding behaviour?
Closed shoes are mandatory. Riders must not perform zigzagging or overtaking and must remain on the designated route.
Do I need to be staying on Boa Vista to book this excursion?
Confirmation of the excursion is valid for clients lodging in Boa Vista.